Cafe worker who felt cold wins £20,000 after bosses insisted door stayed open

A WORKER at a trendy cheesecake cafe has won more than £20,000 after she was frozen out by bosses for complaining about working in cold temperatures.

- By Charlie Bradley

Leila Ayad's bosses at Whipped insisted on leaving the door open, even in winter, to encourage more customers, an employment tribunal heard. As a result she had to wear three layers and a thermal vest on shift. They refused to buy a heater in case of fire, the hearing was told.

After Miss Ayad complained it was difficult to work when the temperature inside dropped to just 12 degrees centigrade, her hours were reduced and she was later fired.

She has now been awarded £21,553 in compensation after suing the cafe in Covent Garden for unfair dismissal. She worked as a part-time shop assistant between May 2023 and April 2024.